A Class Act
She hails from an island that has gone through the worst of times and the uncertainty over what the future holds is ever so present. But other than let the fears, real or imagined, overwhelm her, Saroopa P Samaradivakara has been able to put all the odds behind her to script a success story in a distant land, reports Mr. John Partick Ojwando. or someone considered a guide, friend
For someone considered a guide, friend F and devoted student on campus, bonding so well with students from diverse backgrounds – the host nation India, international students and those from her homeland –comes naturally. Aside, she has never missed an opportunity to lead the way showcasing the rich and vibrant heritage of Sri Lanka through diverse expositions or decorations at events.
If watching Saroopa lead a team of students in culling out decorations used at the campus during the recently concluded Gardenia Internationale –Confluence 2008 hosted by the college was a revelation, witnessing students grab the decorations after the show was the clincher. “I love doing such kinds of workespecially the decorations,” she explains. “Working as a team is something special that gives me a lot of satisfaction,” she continues. “It is always good to see the end results of any work nicely done and to get a positive feedback is great.”
Right through her schooling, Saroopa has always been involved in a host of extra curricular activities, a feat she attributes to her upbringing. “As students, we always got a free hand in running shows,” she recalls. “The education system in Sri Lanka and the strong cultural values I imbibed have helped me nurture an independent mindset from a young age.”
This along with her resilience and great optimism even in the face of personal misfortunes has stood her in good stead. Saroopa was born and brought up in Nawala, Colombo in a family rooted in Buddhist traditions- her father Mr. Anura Samaradivakara, GCC World, June 2008 is an Engineer by profession Mother, Ms. Manel, a home maker and brother Mr Thikula, a merchandiser back in Sri Lanka. She went to Musaeus College and the Islands Best Girls School, Visakha Vidyalaya on scholarship before relocating to Garden City College, thanks to the great name the college has in the Emerald Island. Her former school mates who came to study at the college floated the idea and its excellent lab facilities won her over. “Since the college was not far from Sri Lanka, I opted to come here and I have not regretted the decision.”
Yet this is only half the story. Barely a month after coming to India, Saroopa lost her maternal grandmother - someone she confides meant a lot to her.
“I spent most of my childhood in her company and it is still hard for me to believe that I would never be able to see her again.”
Today, with her stay on campus coming to an end (of course there is hope that she may come back for her masters), the lasting memories she carries back home of her college, city and adopted country, has been that of cordial living. Then the support she received from the staff and students of the college and the opportunity to meet and make friends with others from virtually every part of the globe
“The way people here go about their activities and the peaceful atmosphere makes one understand the value of communal living.”
But Saroopa believes time has come to look to the future and hands on exposure before a master’s may not be a bad thought after all. “I want to work for some time and gain practical knowledge before taking up my master’s degree,” she mulls. “There are so many branches in Genetics and I have to get things right before opting for any specialization.”
But does the situation back home worry her? “Yes, it does. I believe it is the lack of understanding that has brought us where we find ourselves back home. The war has affected just about everybody,” she rues. According to Saroopa sometimes if she does not get a call from home, she dreads the inevitable. Sad, considering how beautiful the island, and the demeanor of its citizens so well articulated by the Genetics achiever!
Q’s and A’s
GCC World : How would you describe yourself?
Ms. Saroopa: Open, friendly and fun loving! I do like cracking jokes even though my friends call me crazy. I am happy to be in the company of friends.
GCC World : How was your childhood in Nawala?
Ms. Saroopa: My mother was the only child and that brought me very close to my grandparents. Every holiday, I would go a n d v i s i t t h e m . . . e n j o y t h e countryside...paddy fields and the scenic beauty. My childhood as such was really happy experience imbibing Buddhist principles and lifestyles from my grandparents. My parents never gave us anything fancy. If they could provide what we wanted, they did or otherwise made us understand we could do without it. The fact that I had an elder brother to look up to also made life even more enjoyable. I would learn from his mistakes and the bond between us has always been strong.
GCC World : Has it been difficult to meet the expectations of your family?
Ms. Saroopa: their sacrifices and the way they brought me up. This also made it easy for me to understand what they expect from me as a girl.
